Jessica

This name was first used in this form by Shakespeare in his play 'The Merchant of Venice' (1596), where it belongs to the daughter of Shylock. Shakespeare probably based it on the biblical name ISCAH, which would have been spelled Jescha in his time. It was not commonly used as a given name until the middle of the 20th century. Notable bearers include actresses Jessica Tandy (1909-1994) and Jessica Lange (1949-).

ISCAH   female   Biblical
From the Hebrew name יִסְכָּה (Yiskah) which meant "to behold". In the Old Testament this is the name of Abraham's niece, mentioned only briefly. This is the basis of the English name Jessica.
EQUIVALENTS
BIBLICAL HEBREW: Yiskah
BIBLICAL: Iscah, Jescha
DANISH: Jessica
ENGLISH: Jessica, Jessika
FRENCH: Jessica
GERMAN: Jessica, Jessika
HAWAIIAN: Iekika
ITALIAN: Gessica, Jessica
NORWEGIAN: Jessica
PORTUGUESE: Jessica
SPANISH: Jessica, Yessica
SWEDISH: Jessica
DIMINUTIVES AND SHORT FORMS
ENGLISH: Jess, Jessa, Jessalyn, Jessi, Jessie, Jessye
OTHER FORMS
ENGLISH: Jennica